Rocket athlethics push pause

The Neshoba Central softball and baseball teams both picked up a couple of victories this past week before the high school spring sports seasons came to a grinding halt due to the coronavirus outbreak.

All high school sports in the state have been suspended, at least until the end of the month and likely longer.

"It's week to week, as far as I know," Neshoba Central athletic director Tommy Holland said. "No one is playing, No one is practicing."

Volleyball coming

Everything is at a standstill right now. But recently the Neshoba County School Board approved for the start of varsity volleyball starting next fall. Zach Sanders will be the head coach and he will be assisted by Taylor Petty and Jonathan Walker.

"We have our gym set up for volleyball," Holland said. "Our pole anchors were put in over spring break and our nets have been ordered.

"Right now, we don't know what the future holds. The plan was to have tryouts later this spring. We'll pick the team. We are planning to send them to some camps and we'll get started in August."

Holland said a lot of schools around the state have added volleyball in the last year or so. The Rocket volleyball team will play in a region similar to the one basketball or baseball plays. There currently are three classifications.

"We did the schedule right after Christmas," Holland said. "We are playing a lot of local teams like West Lauderdale. It's the first year and there is going to be a learning curve for coaches and players, just like everyone else. We'll put our best effort in."

Neshoba Central will also have a Bass Club fishing team the next school year. Holland said it would be more of a club than a sport and they will compete throughout the school year.

Holland said the school will also start an archery team next school year.

Lady Rocket softball

The Neshoba Central girls fast-pitch team picked up two victories in the Enterprise tournament this past weekend.

The Lady Rockets defeated West Harrison 16-2 and then battled past Northwest Rankin 4-1.

Against West Harrison, the Lady Rockets scored one in the first, six in the second and nine in the fourth. West Harrison scored one in the third and one in the fourth.

AnnaLeigh Jones led at the plate with a double and a single. She knocked in four runs. Shante Beaulieu hit a double. Mauhree Jones had two hits and a RBI. Tenly Grisham had two hits, scored three runs and knocked in another run. Reese Page had two hits, scored one run and knocked in three more. Jeyda Ben had three hits, scored two runs and knocked in another.

Elleigh Willis picked up the pitching victory. In two innings, she struck out three. Mauhree Jones and KK Goodin also pitched an inning.

Against Northwest Rankin, the Lady Rockets rallied in the sixth inning to take the win.

Willis pitched seven innings and pitched up the victory. She allowed six hits and one run while striking out two.

Grisham hit a triple and two singles while scoring two runs. Page hit a double and knocked in two runs.

The Lady Rockets stand at 10-0 as their season takes a pause.

Rocket baseball

The Neshoba Central baseball team improved to 9-1 with two victories last week in the Kosciusko tournament.

The Rockets defeated Kosciusko 9-8 and then stopped Louisville 15-3.

Reid Hall was the winning pitcher against Kosciusko. He pitched five innings, allowing five runs and two hits, Cade Hall picked up the save.

Bailey Cook hit a double and a single while scoring two runs. Hayden Knight hit a double and two singles. He scored one run and knocked in another.

Jesse Hancock was the winning pitcher against Louisville. Clay Hall also pitched.

Ramie Harrison hit a triple, a double and a single. He scored three runs and knocked in three more. Cade Hall had two hits.